New owner, staff at Izzy’s Hoagie Shop will continue legacy in Ann Arbor

New owner, staff at Izzy’s Hoagie Shop will continue legacy in Ann Arbor

ANN ARBOR, MI – Izzy’s Hoagie Shop is continuing to bring its cheesesteaks and same goofy service to West Stadium Boulevard in Ann Arbor following the death of Owner Terry Lahner in December.

Former General Manager Acadia Mercer has taken ownership of the well-known hoagie shop and officially reopened the business Jan. 9.

Although the idea of running a business was intimidating at first, she wanted to continue Lahner’s legacy. “We’re staying true to how Terry did things,” she said. “This was his life, and I’m not going to go and mess that up. It’s an institution and I don’t want to change anything.”

Called a “cheesesteak master” and beloved by staff and customers, Lahner did not know he had high blood pressure and died Dec. 5 of “hypertensive cardiovascular disease.”

Read more: ‘He was so magnetic’: Izzy’s Hoagie Shop owner leaves legacy in Ann Arbor

Lahner’s family took over the business in 1989 and the hoagie shop has since become a special place for many people living in and around Ann Arbor.

Mercer has worked at Izzy’s for over a decade and spent the last few years running the restaurant with Lahner. With the reopening, she decided to bring in some new faces to help.

Samuel Lippert is one of the new cooks. He has been coming to the business since he was kid with his dad and brothers.

“I could not be more grateful to be in this shop,” he said. “It feels like I’ve come home, and I’ve found the people I want to do business with.”

Although Lippert didn’t know Lahner personally, he said he understands the importance of keeping the cheesesteaks as they have always been, and he doesn’t see a reason to mess with “perfection.”

It wasn’t easy to keep it all the same, though, Mercer said. Because Lahner never wrote down any recipes, she had to go through old order guides to piece together how to make certain things. After taking some time to figure it out, Mercer said the recipes are what she remembers.

However, Lippert said he thinks there is potential to add new items, like barbecue sandwiches, chicken wings and other dishes, to the menu in the future.

“Cheesesteaks won’t be touched, but why not add to the lineup?” he said.

Mercer agrees and has her own plans to “modernize” Izzy’s operations, while keeping the same service people have come to know.

The new owner has reopened and updated Izzy’s dining area and added online ordering. She hopes to soon offer delivery, extend hours to 9 p.m. and go “all in” on catering.

The restaurant now serves different soups every day and has some returning menu items, like its chicken salad and corned beef.

Mercer said she is thinking Izzy’s Hoagie Shop may even open its own food truck later down the line.

“We want to keep growing, expanding and improving things,” she said. “This is one of the last old standing restaurants in Ann Arbor, and I want it to blossom. I don’t want it to shrivel away.”

Desire Banks has been an Izzy’s customer since she was a kid and often would swing by when working at a nearby veterinary hospital. She is now a food runner for the restaurant.

Banks said she formed a relationship with Mercer and Lahner since all their birthdays are around the same time. After Lahner died, Banks decided she wanted to help.

Although customers may not always like change, Mercer and Banks agree they have been welcoming and accepting of Mercer’s new role with the business.

“They’re so happy and excited about it, and that makes me glad because it makes me feel like I’m the one that they want it to go to and that trust me to know what I’m doing,” Mercer said.

Along with the cheesesteaks, Mercer said customers can still expect the same light-hearted service and jokes that her and Lahner would bring to work every day.

“We come here, and we have fun, and that’s totally how it was with Terry, and it’s never going to not be like that,” she said.

The new Izzy’s team is excited for the restaurant’s future.

“We’ve got some real expansive adventures down the line that we’re just looking forward to and we just need the support of the town by coming in,” Lippert said.

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02

French bulldog owners on edge as violent dognapping incidents rise

Ali Zacharias said she has such a bond with her French bulldog Onyx that she went to extremes when the 1-year-old pup was snatched last month.

Zacharias told "Nightline" that she was completely caught off guard when the dognapper allegedly took Onyx while Zacharias was eating lunch in downtown Los Angeles and put the bulldog in a car. But at that moment, which was caught on camera and went viral, she said she went into guardian mode and chased after the alleged thief.

"I ran in front of the car. I just sort of grab onto the windshield wipers and I just decide to [be] like, 'Hold on, you're not driving anywhere,'" she said. "I just didn't expect to be in the fight mode like Indiana Jones."

Onyx, belonging to Ali Zacharias is still missing.

Ali Zacharias

Zacharias is recovering from injuries after she was flung from the suspect's car. A woman was arrested last week in connection with the dognapping, but Onyx's whereabouts remain a mystery.

"They must be desperate, and I feel for them, but if I don't get this dog back I'm going to be so upset," Zacharias said.

Ali Zacharias speaks with "Nightline."

ABC News

Her ordeal has become part of a growing list of nightmare stories that many dog owners across the country are fearing as the number of dognappings of expensive French bulldogs has skyrocketed.

The crimes are leaving many dog owners on edge fearing they could be next.

Tom Sharp, the CEO of American Kennel Club Reunite, told "Nightline" that owner-reported dognappings to his nonprofit have risen 140% since 2020.

"In 2023, twice as many French bulldogs were reported stolen to us as the next breed," Sharp said.